Image forming apparatus, method of controlling the same, program, storage medium, printing system, and method suitable for the printing system

ABSTRACT

There is provided an image forming apparatus capable of realizing a trial printing function that minimizes unnecessary consumption of time and supplies. Images that are inputted are accumulated in a memory. An output mode is set and a setting is made as to whether trial printing is to be carried out in the output mode or not. A CPU provides control to read out a corresponding image from the memory according to the set output mode and form the readout image on a sheet. When it is determined that the trial printing is to be carried out during image formation according to the set output mode, the CPU provides control to set the number of trial print pages according to predetermined conditions and carry out the trial printing for the set number of trial print pages.

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/431,354filed May 7, 2003, which is based on and claims priority from JapaneseApplication Numbers JP 2002-133905 filed on May 9, 2002, and JP2003-113180 filed on Apr. 17, 2003. The disclosure of the priorityapplications, in their entirety, including the drawings, claims, and thespecifications thereof, are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable ofperforming trial printing, a method of controlling the same, a programfor implementing the method, and a storage medium storing the program aswell as a printing system and a method suitable for the printing system.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, a digital copying machine having a plurality offunctions has been developed. The digital copying machine reads an imageon an original by a CCD (Charged Coupled Device) and converts it into adigital signal, and performs various processing on the digital signaland then converts it into a laser signal to record an image on a sheetby electrophotography. The digital copying machine also temporarilystores the read image data in an image memory such as a hard disk andreads out the image data to form an image. By repeating this sequence aplurality of times, the digital copying machine can realize anelectronic sorting function. The digital copying machine can alsoperform image formation of one copy using the data stored in the imagememory, and continues image formation or change setting modes accordingto the result of user's checking of the finish of the formed image. Thisis a so-called “trial printing function”.

According to the trial printing function, however, all of read imagesare subjected to processing, and all of pages included in each copy aresubjected to printing, and hence, time and supplies such as toners andsheets may be unnecessarily consumed. For example, the trial printingfunction may be sufficiently achieved in the case where printing iscarried out for a plurality of pages, but even in this case, all of thepages are outputted on a copy-by-copy basis, which requires excess timefor trial printing and unnecessarily consumes supplies such as tonersand sheets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an imageforming apparatus, a method of controlling the same, a printing systemand a method suitable for the printing system, which are capable ofrealizing a trial printing function that minimizes unnecessaryconsumption of time and supplies, as well as a program for implementingthe method for controlling the image forming apparatus, and a storagemedium storing the program.

To attain the above object, in a first aspect of the present inventionprovides an image forming apparatus comprising an image input devicethat inputs images, an image accumulating device that accumulates theimages inputted by the image input device, an output mode setting devicethat sets an output mode and makes a setting as to whether trialprinting is to be carried out in the output mode, and a control devicethat provides control to read out a corresponding image from the imageaccumulating device according to the set output mode, and to form thereadout image on a sheet, and wherein the control device is operablewhen the setting has been made such that the trial printing is to becarried out during image formation according to the set output mode, forsetting a number of trial print pages according to predeterminedconditions, and carrying out the trial printing on the set number oftrial print pages.

With the above arrangement, in the case where trial printing isinstructed to be carried out during image formation according to the setoutput mode, the number of trial print pages is set according topredetermined conditions to perform trial printing for the set number oftrial print pages. As a result, it is possible to realize a trialprinting function that minimizes unnecessary consumption of time andconsumable supplies.

Preferably, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspectcomprises an output mode changing device that changes the set outputmode, and a trial printing cancellation device that cancels the trialprinting, and wherein the control device is operable when imageformation is suspended after the trial printing, the output mode ischanged by the output mode changing device during suspension of theimage formation, and the trial printing is canceled by the trialprinting cancellation device, for providing control to resume imageformation according to an output mode changed from the set output mode.

More preferably, the control device is operable when image formation issuspended after the trial printing, and the output mode is changed bythe output mode changing device during suspension of the image formationwithout the trial printing being canceled by the trial printingcanceling device, for providing control to again carry out the trialprinting according to the output mode changed from the set output.

Preferably, the image forming apparatus according to the aspectcomprises a condition setting device that sets one of manual setting,automatic setting, and all-page setting as conditions for setting thenumber of trial print pages, and wherein the control device sets thenumber of trial print pages according to the conditions set by thecondition setting device and the set output mode.

More preferably, the control device is operable when the manual settingis set by the condition setting device, for setting a number of trialprint pages set by a user as the number of trial print pagesirrespective of the output mode.

Also preferably, the control device is operable when the all-pagesetting is set by the condition setting device, for setting a number ofall pages as the number of trial print pages irrespective of the outputmode.

Further preferably, the control device is operable when the automaticsetting is set by the condition setting device, for setting the numberof trial print pages according to the output mode.

Preferably, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspectcomprises a condition setting device that sets one of manual setting,automatic setting, and all-page setting as conditions for setting thenumber of trial print pages, and wherein the image input device iscapable of carrying out sequential reading in which a plurality oforiginals are sequentially read, and wherein the control device sets thenumber of trial print pages according to the conditions set by thecondition setting device and the set output mode.

More preferably, the control device is operable when the manual settingis set by the condition setting device, for setting a number of pagesset by a user as the number of trial print pages irrespective of theoutput mode.

Still more preferably, the control device is operable when the all-pagesetting is set by the condition setting device, for setting a number ofall pages as the number of trial print pages irrespective of the outputmode.

Also preferably, the image forming apparatus according to the firstaspect comprises an output mode changing device that changes the setoutput mode during a period of time from completion of present readingof the original to start of next reading of the original during thesequential reading, and wherein the control device is operable when theoutput mode is changed by the output mode changing device in a casewhere the automatic setting is set by the condition setting device, forsetting the number of trial print pages according to an output modechanged from the set output mode.

Further preferably, the control device is operable when the output modeis changed by the output mode changing device in a case where theautomatic setting is set by the condition setting device, for setting apredetermined number of pages from a page obtained by the next readingof the original as the number of trial print pages according to anoutput mode changed from the set output mode.

To attain the above object, in a second aspect of the present invention,the present invention provides a method of controlling an image formingapparatus comprising an image input device that inputs images, an imageaccumulating device that accumulates the images inputted by the imageinput device, an output mode setting device that sets an output mode andmakes a setting as to whether trial printing is to be carried out in theoutput mode, and wherein a corresponding image is read out from theimage accumulating device according to the set output mode to form thereadout image on a sheet, the method comprising a number-of-print pagessetting step of setting a number of trial print pages according topredetermined conditions when the setting has been made such that thetrial printing is to be carried out during image formation according tothe set output mode, and a control step of providing control to carryout the trial printing on the set number of trial print pages.

Preferably, the method according to the second aspect comprises an imageformation suspending step of suspending image formation after the trialprinting, and an output mode changing step of changing the set outputmode during the suspension of the image formation, and wherein thecontrol step comprises providing control to resume image formationaccording to an output mode changed from the set output mode when thetrial printing is canceled after the output mode is changed.

More preferably, the control step comprises providing control to carryout the trial printing again according to an output mode changed fromthe set output mode when image formation is suspended after the trialprinting, and the output mode is changed during suspension of the imageformation without the trial printing being canceled.

Preferably, the method according to the second aspect comprises acondition setting step of setting one of manual setting, automaticsetting, and all-page setting as conditions for setting the number oftrial print pages, and wherein the number-of-print pages setting stepcomprises setting the number of trial print pages according to the setconditions and the set output mode.

More preferably, the number-of-print pages setting step comprisessetting a number of trial print pages set by a user as the number oftrial print pages irrespective of the output mode when the manualsetting is set in the condition setting step.

Further preferably, the number-of-print pages setting step comprisessetting a number of all pages as the number of trial print pagesirrespective of the output mode when the all-page setting is set in thecondition setting step.

Still further preferably, the number-of-print pages setting stepcomprises setting the number of trial print pages according to theoutput mode when the automatic setting is set in the condition settingstep.

Preferably, the image input device is capable of carrying out sequentialreading in which a plurality of originals are sequentially read, whereinthe method comprises a condition setting step of setting one of manualsetting, automatic setting, and all-page setting as conditions forsetting the number of trial print pages, and wherein the number-of-printpages setting step comprises setting the number of trial print pagesaccording to the conditions set in the condition setting step and theset output mode.

More preferably, the number-of-print pages setting step comprisessetting a number of pages set by a user as the number of trial printpages irrespective of the output mode when the manual setting is set inthe condition setting step.

Still more preferably, the number-of-print pages setting devicecomprises setting a number of all pages as the number of trial printpages irrespective of the output mode when the all-page setting is setin the condition setting step.

Also preferably, the method according to the second aspect comprises anoutput mode changing step of changing the set output mode during aperiod of time from completion of present reading of the original tostart of next reading of the original during the sequential reading, andwherein the number-of-print pages setting step comprises setting thenumber of trial print pages according to an output mode changed from theset output mode when the output mode is changed in the output modechanging step in a case where the automatic setting is set in thecondition setting step.

Preferably, the number-of-print pages setting step comprises setting apredetermined number of pages from a page obtained by the next readingof the original as the number of trial print pages according to anoutput mode changed from the set output mode when the output mode ischanged in the output mode changing step in a case where the automaticsetting is set in the condition setting step.

To attain the above object, in a third aspect of the present invention,the present invention provides a program for controlling an imageforming apparatus comprising an image input device that inputs images,an image accumulating device that accumulates the images inputted by theimage input device, an output mode setting device that sets an outputmode and makes a setting as to whether trial printing is to be carriedout in the output mode, and wherein a corresponding image is read outfrom the image accumulating device according to the set output mode toform the readout image on a sheet, the program comprising anumber-of-print pages setting module for setting a number of trial printpages according to predetermined conditions when the setting has beenmade such that the trial printing is to be carried out during imageformation according to the set output mode, and a control module forproviding control to carry out the trial printing on the set number oftrial print pages.

To attain the above object, in a fourth aspect of the present invention,the present invention provides a computer-readable storage mediumstoring the program according to the third aspect.

To attain the above object, in a fifth aspect of the present invention,the present invention provides a method suitable for a printing systemincluding a printing apparatus capable of carrying out trial printing ona print job to print out N copies (N is equal to or greater than 2),comprising a selecting step of selecting any mode from a plurality ofjobs including an all-page mode in which P copies (P is a predeterminedvalue) of the print job are printed out in trial printing according toprinting conditions set for the print job, and a non all-page mode inwhich copies in a number less than P of the print job are printed out intrial printing according to the printing conditions set for the printjob, a changing step of allowing settings as to printing conditions forthe print job to be changed after trial printing, and a control step ofproviding control to carry out the print job according to new printingconditions after change of the settings when the settings are changed inthe changing step, and to carry out the print job according to theprinting conditions before change of the settings when the settings arenot changed in the changing step, and wherein the control step comprisesproviding control to print out A copies (A=N−P) of the print job printedin the all-page mode according to the printing conditions before changeof the settings when the settings as to the printing conditions for theprint job subjected to trial printing in the all-page mode are notchanged in the changing step, and to print out N copies of the print jobsubjected to trial printing in the non all-page mode according to theprinting conditions before change of the settings even when the settingsas to the printing conditions are not changed in the changing step.

To attain the above object, in a sixth aspect of the present invention,the present invention provides a printing system including a printingapparatus capable of carrying out trial printing of a print job,comprising a selector that selects a manual mode in which a number ofpages to be outputted in trial printing can be arbitrarily designated bya user irrespective of a number of pages of originals included in theprint job, and a controller operable when the selector selects themanual mode, for providing control to carrying out trial printing toprint out pages in the number designated by the user.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the inventionwill become more apparent from the following detailed description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire arrangement of an imageinput/output system as a printing system according to a first embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the construction of a reader and aprinter in the image input/output system in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view showing an operating section 150 in the imageinput/output system in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a control task for the operating section150 and an LCD 600 with a touch panel in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the procedure for carrying out an idlingcontrol process in a step S42 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed on the LCD 600of the operating section 150 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a screen for setting the numberof trial print pages, which is displayed in a step S60 in FIG. 5;

FIGS. 8A-8B are flow chart showing a copying sequence in a step S63 inFIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which a trial copy key 50 isdisplayed inverted when a trial copy mode is on in a step S61 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed on the LCD600 of the operating section 150 in FIG. 3 during trial copying;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the procedure for carrying out a trialcopying process in a step S84 in FIGS. 8A-8B;

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of an application mode settingscreen displayed upon depression of an application mode key 503 on thescreen in FIG. 6;

FIGS. 13A-13B are flow chart showing the procedure for carrying out anautomatic page calculating process in a step S115 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a view schematically showing an example in which aninterleaved sheet is inserted between output pages in an interleavedsheet mode;

FIG. 15A is a view showing an example of an original read in adouble-sided printing mode;

FIG. 15B is a view showing an example of trial copying in a horizontalspread double-sided printing mode;

FIG. 15C is a view showing an example of trial copying in a verticalspread double-sided printing mode;

FIG. 16 is a view showing an example of a screen for presetting thenumber of pages for automatic page calculation during trial copying;

FIG. 17 is a view schematically showing the reason for setting thenumber of trial print pages in a staple mode during the automatic pagecalculation;

FIG. 18 is a view schematically showing the reason for setting thenumber of trial print pages in a reduced layout mode during theautomatic page calculation;

FIG. 19A is a view showing an example of output in a cover sheet mode;

FIG. 19B is a view showing an example of a result obtained by trialcopying in the double-sided printing mode with the cover sheet modebeing set;

FIG. 19C is a view showing an example of a result obtained by trialcopying in a staple mode with the cover sheet mode being set;

FIG. 19D is a view showing an example of a result obtained by trialcopying with the cover sheet mode being set;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the procedure for providing control inan intermediate state of trial copying in a step S46 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing a continued part of the procedure inFIG. 4;

FIG. 22 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed during thecontrol in the intermediate state of trial copying in the step S46 inFIG. 4;

FIG. 23 is a view showing an example of a resetting screen displayedwhen it is determined in a step S202 in FIG. 20 that a request to changesettings has been issued;

FIG. 24 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed when it isdetermined in a step S203 in FIG. 20 that settings are to be changed;

FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing the procedure for providing idlingcontrol in an image input/output system according to a second embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing a continued part of the procedure inFIG. 25;

FIGS. 27A-27B are flow chart showing the procedure for carrying outsequential reading in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed on theoperating section 150 upon shift to an intermediate state of sequentialreading in a step S265 in FIGS. 27A-27B;

FIG. 29 is a view showing an example of an original type setting popupdisplayed upon the depression of an original type key in FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a flow chart showing the procedure for carrying out automaticpage calculation;

FIG. 31A is a view showing an example of a read original whose imagequality has been changed, the view useful in explaining the details ofprocessing in a step S282 in FIG. 30;

FIG. 31B is a view showing an example of trial copying in the case wherethe image quality has been changed in FIG. 31A; and

FIG. 32 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed on theoperating section 150 upon the start of a sequential reading sequence ina step S254 in FIG. 25.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference tothe drawings showing embodiments thereof.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire arrangement of an imageinput/output system as a printing system according to a first embodimentof the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, an image input/output system 100 is comprised of areader 200 that optically reads an image on an original and converts theread image into image data; a printer 300 that feeds a sheet, printsimage data as a visual image on the sheet, and discharges the sheet fromthe printer 300; and a controller 110 that controls the reader 200 andthe printer 300.

The reader 200 is comprised of an original feeding unit (DF unit) 250that feeds an original, and a scanner unit 210 that reads an original.

The printer 300 is comprised of a sheet feeding unit 310 includingdifferent types of sheet cassettes, a marking unit 320 that transfersand fixes image data on a sheet, a sheet discharge unit 330 that outputsa sheet with an image printed thereon from the printer 300, and afinisher unit 500 that performs stapling, sorting, and so forth.

The controller 110 is electrically connected to the reader 200 and theprinter 300, and is also connected to host computers (PC) 401 and 402.The controller 110 controls the reader 200 to read image data from anoriginal, and controls the printer 300 to provide a copying function ofoutputting the image data onto a sheet. The controller 110 also providesa scanner function of converting image data read from the reader 200into code data and transmitting the code data to the host computers 401and 402 via a LAN 400, and a printer function of converting the codedata received from the host computers 401 and 402 via the LAN 400 intoimage data and outputting the same to the printer 300.

An image accumulating section 160 where image data read by the reader200 are accumulated is connected to the controller 110. The printer 300is capable of reading out image data from the image accumulating section160 via the controller 110, and printing the read image data. Thus, theprinter 300 is capable of reading and printing an originalasynchronously. Also, the printer 300 is capable of reading out imagedata, which has been read once, a plurality of times and printing thesame, thus realizing an electronic sorting function and a trial copyingfunction (trial printing mode).

For example, in the case where the user has selected the trial printingmode through the operation of the operating section 150, the controller110 causes related component units to operate as described below. First,a processing mode (such as a reduced layout processing mode, an enlargedlayout mode, a staple mode, an image rotation mode, a duplex copy mode,a page printing mode) set by the user through the operation of theoperating section 150, a setting parameter (such as a setting parameterindicative of the number of images (e.g., 2, 4, 8, 9, or 16) to bearranged on a sheet in the case where the reduced layout mode isselected) as processing conditions set in the set mode, and a settingparameter indicative of the arrangement of a plurality of images (forexample, in a 4 inl mode, a parameter indicative of how respectiveimages on the first through fourth pages are laid out in upper left,upper right, lower left, and lower right regions on one surface of asheet) are temporarily stored and held in a memory. Then, processing isperformed based on a print job (image data) captured into a memory (suchas a hard disk) according to the stored mode information and parameterdata. The printing result is outputted as a trial printout so that theuser can check it. The user then checks the printing result outputted bytrial printing.

On this occasion, if the printing result has no problem and the userinputs an instruction for allowing the printing result to be outputtedwithout change on the printing conditions set first, printing isperformed based on the print job according to the number of print copies(and/or the number of print pages) based on the number of print copies(and/or the number of print pages) set by the user in the first settingas to printing and the number of print copies outputted in trialprinting (and/or the number of print pages) and on the processingconditions set by the user. For example, it is assumed that the usermakes a setting to print out five copies of a bundle of five-pageoriginals (one job) as original data of one job in a state in which theuser has designated the trial printing mode. In this case, it is assumedthat a part (in this case, 5 pages×1 copy) of a bundle of first to fifthpages is outputted in trial printing according to the processingconditions set by the user. Then, in response to the input of aninstruction for continuing printing without changing the printingconditions from the user, the controller 110 provides control tosubtract 1 as the number of copies set for trial printing from 5 as thenumber of copies set first, and to print out four copies (5 pages×4copies) according to the same printing conditions as the printingconditions set earlier. This is intended to minimize unnecessaryprintouts because the output results of trial printing can be counted asproper output results.

On the other hand, if the user determines that the trial printing resultis not his/her desired one, and thus inputs an instruction for changingthe printing conditions set earlier and performing printing underdifferent printing conditions through the operation of the operatingsection 150, the controller 110 causes a variety of UI screens, whichenable the user to change settings, to be displayed on the operatingsection 150, so that the user can change the printing conditions via thescreens (for example, from a double-sided printing mode to a one-sidedprinting mode, or from a non-sort mode to the staple mode). After theprinting conditions are changed, processing is performed based on theprint job stored in the memory according to newly set printingconditions, so that the print job can be printed out. As describedabove, if the user changes the printing conditions after trial printing,the controller 110 performs printing by setting the number of printcopies (and/or the number of print pages) to be outputted after trialprinting to the number of print copies set first by the user (in thiscase, 5 pages×5 copies). This is intended to obtain an output result(printing result) desired by the user over again since the userdetermines that the output result is not a desired one and the printingresult should be regarded as being invalid.

In this way, the controller 110 controls the trial printing mode toadjust the number of print pages to be outputted after trial printingaccording to information indicative of the number of print copies(and/or the number of print pages) set by the user before trialprinting, information indicative of the number of print copies (and/orthe number of print pages) outputted in trial printing, and aninstruction inputted by the user after trial printing (i.e., aninstruction for continuing printing under the same printing conditionsas in trial printing, or an instruction for performing printing againunder printing conditions different from trial printing conditions), tothereby produce printouts.

In particular, according to the present embodiment, the number ofprintout pages of a print job in trial printing can be adjustedaccording to a wide variety of needs from the user.

For example, assuming that one job consisting of printing out a bundleof one-hundred page originals in the trial printing mode, it is possibleto eliminate such a problem that all of one-hundred pages are outputtedby printing out one copy of the job as trial printing as in the priorpart, even when the user can check the output result only by printingout predetermined pages such as a top page or by printing out apredetermined number of output sheets such as one output sheet (forexample, when the user wishes to check only the color of a color outputor the like, or wishes to check only the area where an image will beprinted or the direction of an image to be printed).

To solve the above described problem, according to the presentembodiment, the controller 110 provides control to properly adjust thenumber of pages to be outputted during trial printing in the trialprinting mode.

For example, the controller 110 has a plurality of modes for determiningthe number of print pages to be outputted in trial printing, such as afirst mode in which all pages of originals included in one print job tobe processed in trial printing are printed out (in the above example,all of one-hundred pages are printed out, i.e., one copy is printedout), a second mode in which the number of print pages to be outputtedin trial printing can be arbitrarily designated by the user irrespectiveof the number of pages of originals included in one job to be processedin trial printing (in the above example, an arbitrary number of outputpages or an arbitrary number of pages of originals can be designated bythe user irrespective of the fact that one-hundred page originals areincluded in one job), and a third mode in which the controller 110provides control to carry out trial printing by automaticallydetermining the number of print pages to be outputted in trial printingaccording to printing conditions (such as the processing mode, thesetting parameters, and so forth) set by the user for a print jobirrespective of the number of pages of originals included in the printjob to be processed in trial printing, (for example, if the double-sidedprinting mode is set by the user, trial printing is performed to printout pages in a number preset for the double-sided printing mode, and ifthe staple mode is set by the user, trial printing is performed to printout pages in a number preset for the staple mode). It is configured thatthe user can select a desired one from among these modes (three modes inthis example).

Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the first mode corresponds toan “all-page” mode in an example of an operating screen in FIG. 9,referred later; the second mode corresponds to a “manual” mode in FIG.9; and the third mode corresponds to an “automatic” mode in FIG. 9, andit is configured that the user can select a desired one from among thesemodes via a UI screen in FIG. 9, described later.

Further, although described later in detail with reference to FIG. 16showing an example of an operating screen, to execute the “automatic”mode, the user presets the number of print pages to be outputted intrial printing according to each processing mode which can be set by theuser, and the preset number of print pages is stored and held in amemory, not shown, in the form of table data, for example. In this case,if the “automatic” mode is selected, the number of print pagescorresponding to the processing mode set by the user is retrieved fromthe table data, so that trial printing is carried out to output pages ina number corresponding to the retrieved number of print pages.

Further, according to the present embodiment, in connection with theabove described control, the controller 110 also controls the number ofprint copies (and/or the number of print pages) to be outputted in realprinting which should be carried out after trial printing.

For example, in the case where the user selects the “all-page” mode fromamong the “all-page” mode, the “manual” mode, and the “automatic” modefor determining the number of print pages to be outputted in trialprinting, all pages of a print job are subjected to trial printing, thatis, one copy is printed out by trial printing (although in the presentembodiment, a predetermined number of copies is set to 1 in the“all-page” mode, the present invention is not limited to this, but apredetermined number of copies may be arbitrarily determined).Therefore, in the case where the user confirms that the trial printingresult is proper, and inputs an instruction for continuing printingwithout change (after cancellation of trial printing), the controller110 provides control to perform printing to produce printout copies in anumber corresponding to the difference obtained by subtracting 1 fromthe number of copies set by the user as described above.

In the case of the “manual” mode, however, the user can arbitrarilydesignate the number of print pages to be outputted in trial printingand printing is performed according to the designated number of printpages, and therefore, one copy of a print job is not outputted in trialprinting (for example, only five pages among one-hundred pages areprinted). Similarly in the case where the “automatic” mode is selected,trial printing is carried out to print out pages in a number accordingto the processing mode set by the user (for example, in the case wherethe staple mode is selected, trial printing is carried out to print outpages in a number according to the staple mode).

Accordingly, when the “manual” mode or the “automatic” mode is selected,the controller 110 controls the number of print copies to be outputtedafter trial printing to the number of copies set first by the userirrespective of the number of print pages outputted during trialprinting even if the user gives an instruction for continuing printingwithout making any changes to settings after trial printing.

Thus, assuming that a print job whose number of copies is set to 10 bythe user is processed, the controller 110 provides control as describedbelow, for example.

(1) Select “the number of trial print pages: all pages”→print out onecopy of the print job during trial printing→“the user has changedsettings”→print out ten copies according to new settings as to printing(new settings as to printing after the user changes settings) aftercancellation of trial printing.

(2) Select “the number of trial print pages: all pages”→print out onecopy of the print job during trial printing→“the user has not changedsettings”→print out nine copies according to the original settings as toprinting (i.e., under the same printing conditions as in trial printing)after cancellation of trial printing.

Incidentally, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the numberof print copies set by initial setting as to a print job is designatedby N (in the above example, N=10), and the number of print copiesoutputted in trial printing is designated by a predetermined number P(in the above example, P=1). The value of N is one of print job printoutconditions set by the user in initial setting before execution of thetrial printing mode (in the above example, N=10). N is equal to orgreater than 2 (i.e., a print job whose number of copies is plural isonly applied, and a print job whose number of copies is 1 is notapplied.). P may be equal to 1 or may be set to an arbitrary numberaccording to the user mode or the like. To find the number of printcopies to be outputted after trial printing in the above example (2),the controller 110 performs calculation according to the followingexpression:

N−P=A

where N is equal to or greater than 2.

The controller 110 then provides control to print out A copies in realprinting according to the calculation result. Therefore, in the aboveexample, ten minus one equals nine with the respective correspondingvalues being substituted for N−P=A, and accordingly, the controller 110provides control to print out nine copies in real printing.

(3) Select “the number of trial print pages: manual”→print out copies ofthe print job in a number set by the user during trial printing→“theuser has changed settings”→print out ten copies according to newsettings as to printing after cancellation of trial printing.

(4) Select “the number of trial print pages: manual”→print out copies ofthe print job in number set by the user during trial printing→“the userhas not changed settings”→print out ten copies according to the originalsettings as to printing after cancellation of trial printing.

As is clear from the above example (4), in the case where trial printingis carried out in the “manual” mode, even if the user has not changedthe printing conditions after trial printing, N copies (in the aboveexample, 10) are printed out in real printing without printing out N−Pcopies (in the above example, 10−1).

(5) Select “the number of trial print pages: automatic”→print out copiesof the print job in a number according to the processing mode set forthe print job during trial printing “the user has changedsettings”→print out ten copies according to new settings as to printingafter cancellation of trial printing.

(6) Select “the number of trial print pages: automatic”→print out copiesof the print job in a number according to the processing mode set forthe print job during trial printing→“the user has not changedsettings”→print out ten copies according to the original settings as toprinting after cancellation of trial printing.

As is clear from the above example (6), in the case where trial printingis carried out in the “automatic” mode, even if the user has not changedthe printing conditions after trial printing, N copies (in the aboveexample, 10) are printed out in real printing without printing out N−Pcopies (in the above example, 10−1) as in the above example (2).

As is clear from comparison between the above examples (2), (4), and(6), according to the present embodiment, the controller 110 properlyadjusts the number of print copies to be outputted after trial printingaccording to which modes is selected for trial printing from among the“all-page” mode, the “manual” mode, and the “automatic” mode even in thecase where the user has not changed settings and gives an instructionfor continuing printing without change after trial printing.

Providing control in different ways according to modes as describedabove improves the usability (increasing the throughput and preventingunnecessary printouts) in trial printing, and hence ensures properprinting results by preventing such troubles that copies in a numberrequired by the user cannot be outputted. As a result, it is possible toimprove the usability and ensure desired printing results in trialprinting at the same time.

As a variation, among the above described three modes (the “all-page”mode, the “manual” mode, and the “automatic” mode), the controller 110provides control to automatically set one mode or allows one mode to beselected while prohibiting the other from being set at a time point theuser sets a predetermined processing mode such as the staple mode, thereduced layout mode or the double-sided printing mode for a print jobsubjected to trial printing.

For example, assuming that the staple mode, the double-sided printingmode, or the reduced layout mode has been set for a print job subjectedto trial printing, the controller 110 provides control to hatch the“manual” key on the operating screen in FIG. 9 to prohibit the “manual”mode among the three modes from being executed, so that only the“automatic” mode and the “all-page” mode are allowed to be selected butthe “manual” mode is prohibited from being selected by the user.

Further, assuming that the staple mode, the double-sided printing mode,or the reduced layout mode has been set for a print job subjected totrial printing, the controller 110 provides control to automatically setthe “automatic” mode even if the user does not select any mode on theoperating screen in FIG. 9.

Further, an operating section 150 is connected to the controller 110.The operating section 150 is comprised of a liquid crystal display (LCD)with a touch panel to provide a user I/F for operating the imageinput/output system 100. The details of the operating section 150 willbe described later.

A description will now be given of the construction of the reader 200and the printer 300 with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a sectional viewshowing the construction of the reader 200 and the printer 300 in theimage input/output system 100 in FIG. 1.

The original feeding unit (DF unit) 250 of the reader 200 feedsoriginals one by one from the top one onto a platen glass 211, anddischarges each original on the platen glass 211 onto a discharge tray219 after the scanner unit 210 finishes reading the original. Theoriginal feeding unit 250 is provided with a sensor 230 that detects thepresence of an original. In the scanner unit 210, when an original hasbeen conveyed onto the platen glass 211, a lamp 212 is turned on, and anoptical unit 213 starts moving to scan the original by exposure. Lightreflected from the original on this occasion is guided to a CCD imagesensor (hereinafter referred to as the “CCD”) 218 via optical elementssuch as mirrors 214, 215, 216, and a lens 217. An image on the originalthus scanned is read by the CCD 218. Image data outputted from the CCD218 is subjected to predetermined processing, and then transferred tothe controller 110.

The printer 300 includes a laser driver 321 that drives a laser emittingsection 322. The laser driver 321 causes the laser emitting section 322to emit laser light according to image data outputted from thecontroller 110. The laser light is irradiated onto a photosensitive drum323, so that a latent image based on the laser light is formed on thephotosensitive drum 323. The latent image formed on the photosensitivedrum 323 is turned into a visual image as a developed image by adeveloping agent supplied from a developer 324.

A sheet is fed from any of cassettes 311, 312, 313, 314, and a manualfeed cassette 315 in timing synchronous with the start of theirradiation of laser light, and is conveyed toward a transfer section325 via a transfer path 331. The transfer section 325 transfers thedeveloped image on the photosensitive drum 323 onto the conveyed sheet.The sheet onto which the developed image has been transferred isconveyed to a fixing section 327 by a conveying belt 326.

The fixing section 327 fixes the developed image on the sheet bythermally pressuring it. The sheet having passed the fixing section 327is discharged from the printer 300 via a conveying path 335 and aconveying path 334. In the case where the sheet is discharged with itssurface on which an image is formed (print surface) being inverted, thesheet having passed the fixing section 327 is guided once to a conveyingpath 336 and a conveying path 338, and then conveyed in the oppositedirection and discharged from the printer 300 via a conveying path 337and the conveying path 334. Further, in the case where a double-sidedprinting mode is designated, the sheet having passed the fixing section327 is guided from the conveying path 336 to a conveying path 333 by aflapper 329. The sheet is then conveyed in the opposite direction to beguided to the conveying path 338 and a sheet refeed conveying path 332by the flapper 329. The sheet guided to the sheet refeed conveying path332 is fed to the transfer section 325 via a conveying path 331 in theabove-mentioned timing.

The sheet discharged from the printer 300 via the conveying path 334 isconveyed to the finisher unit 500. The sheet conveyed to the finisherunit 500 is sent first to a buffer unit 501. As the case may be, thebuffer unit 501 performs buffering by winding the conveyed sheet arounda buffer roller. For example, in the case where it takes a long time toperform processing such as stapling at a location downstream of thebuffer unit 501, the use of the buffer unit 501 enables the conveyingspeed of the sheet conveyed from the main body of the printer 300 to bemaintained at a constant speed, thus increasing the throughput.

The sheet conveyed from the buffer unit 501 is discharged onto a sheetdischarge tray 507 a by a pair of upstream discharge rollers 502 and apair of downstream discharge rollers 503. In the case where a staplemode has been designated, the sheet is conveyed by the pair of upstreamdischarge rollers 502, and immediately after the rear end of the sheetis released from the pair of upstream discharge rollers 502, the sheetis pulled back by a knurling belt 504 and discharged onto a staple tray505.

When a predetermined number of sheets have been stacked on the stapletray 505, the staple unit 506 staples these sheets into a bundle, andthe bundle of the stapled sheets is discharged onto the discharge tray507 a by the pair of downstream discharge rollers 503.

In the present embodiment, two discharge trays 507 a and 507 b areprovided which are capable of being moved up and down by a driving unit,not shown, such that one of the discharge trays 507 a and 507 b moves inresponse to the movement of the other. Although in FIG. 2, the sheetdischarge tray 507 a is disposed at a location to which a sheet is to bedischarged, but it may be moved up so that the sheet can be dischargedonto the discharge tray 507 b.

A description will now be given of the operating section 150 withreference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 illustrates the operating section 150 of theimage input/output system in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the operating section 150 is comprised of an LCD 600with a touch panel, which is intended to set main modes and displayconditions, as well as a plurality of keys. The plurality of keysinclude a numeric key pad 601 for inputting numeric values from 0 to 9,an ID key 602 for inputting a department number and a password in thecase where the image input/output system is managed according todepartments (departmental management), a reset key 603 for resetting theset mode, a guide key 604 for displaying an instruction screen relatingto each mode, a user mode key 605 for entering a user mode screen, andan interrupt key 606 for carrying out interruptive copying.

Further, the plurality of keys include a start key 607 for starting copyand a stop key 608 for suspending a copy job being executed. Further,the operating section 150 is comprised of a soft power switch 609, whichis depressed to turn off a backup light of the LCD 600 to bring theimage input/output system into a low-power mode. The plurality of keysfurther include a power-saving key 610, which is depressed to bring theimage input/output system into a power-saving mode, and is depressedagain to return to normal from the power-saving mode. Further, theoperating section 150 is comprised of function keys 611, 612, 613 formaking the shift to an expanding function, copying function, and boxfunction. FIG. 3 shows a state in which a standard screen of the copyingfunction is displayed, and the depression of the other function keys 611and 612 displays standard screens of the respective functions.

Further, the operating section 150 is comprised of an adjusting key 614for adjusting the contrast of the LCD 600, and a counter confirmationkey 615. The depression of the counter confirmation key 615 displays acount screen, which shows the total number of copies used up to thepresent, on the LCD 600. Further, the operating section 150 is comprisedof an LED 616 for indicating that a job is being executed and images arebeing accumulated in the image accumulating section 160, an error LED617 for indicating that a system error such as jamming or door openinghas occurred, and a power LED 618 for indicating that a main switch ofthe image input/output system is on.

A description will now be given of trial copying according to thepresent embodiment.

Referring first to FIG. 4, a description will be given of how theoperating section 150 and its LCD 600 with the touch panel arecontrolled. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a control task forcontrolling the operating section 150 and the touch panel LCD 600 inFIG. 3.

The control task for controlling the operating section 150 and the LCD600 is started upon turning-on of power, and is constantly running. Thecontrol task is executed by the controller 110.

Referring to FIG. 4, in a step S41, it is determined first whether theimage input/output system is idling or not. If the image input/outputsystem is idling, it means that no job such as a copy job is beingexecuted. If it is determined in the step S41 that the imageinput/output system is idling, the process proceeds to a step S42wherein the operating section 150 and the LCD 600 are controlled withthe image input/output system idling, and the process then proceeds to astep S43. If it is determined in the step S41 that the imageinput/output system is not idling, the process directly proceeds to thestep S43 with the step S42 being skipped.

In the step S43, it is determined whether the image input/output systemis operating or not. If copying is in progress, it is determined thatthe image input/output system is operating, and the process thenproceeds to a step S44 wherein the operating section 150 and the LCD 600are controlled according to the contents of the operation. The processthen proceeds to a step S45. On the other hand, if it is determined inthe step S43 that the image input/output system is not operating, theprocess directly proceeds to the step S45 with the step S44 beingskipped.

In the step S45, it is determined whether the image input/output systemlies in an intermediate state of trial copying or not. The intermediatestate of trial copying means a state in which execution of a job issuspended after the completion of output of trial copies and the user isallowed to perform operations (for example, operations input through theLCD 600) during the suspension of the job. The details thereof will bedescribed later. If it is determined in the step S45 that the imageinput/output system lies in the intermediate state of trial copying, theprocess proceeds to a step S46 wherein the operating section 150 and theLCD 600 are controlled in the intermediate state of trial copying. Theprocess then returns to the step S41. On the other hand, if it isdetermined in the step S45 that the image input/output system does notlie in the intermediate state of trial copying, the process returns tothe step S41.

Incidentally, although not illustrated in the drawings, correspondingindividual processing is performed in an exceptional processing statesuch as a state in which the image input/output apparatus is suspendeddue to sheet exhaustion or a state in which jamming is handled, butdescription thereof is omitted.

A description will now be given of idling control in the step S42 withreference to FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 9, and 12. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showingthe procedure for providing idling control in the step S42 in FIG. 4,FIG. 6 shows an example of a screen displayed on the LCD 600 of theoperating section 150 in FIG. 3 during idling, FIG. 7 shows an exampleof a screen for setting the number of trial print pages in a step S60 inFIG. 5, FIG. 9 shows an example of a state in which the trial copy key50 is highlighted when a trial copy mode is on in a step S61 in FIG. 5,and FIG. 12 shows an example of an application mode setting screendisplayed upon the depression of the application mode key 53 on thescreen in FIG. 6. A description will now be given of control related totrial copying among controls executed for the operating section 150during idling.

During idling, the screen in FIG. 6 is displayed on the LCD 600 of theoperating section 150. During idling, the user can set a copy mode suchas an entry mode, sheet selection mode, or sorting mode. The trial copykey 50 for setting the trial copy mode is displayed on the screen inFIG. 6. The trial copy key 50 is not displayed usually, but displayedaccording to settings of the copy mode. This will be described later.

During the idling control, first in a step S51, it is determined whetheran entry has been made or not through the operation of a numeric keypadcomprised of a key group 205. If it is determined in the step S51 thatan entry has been made, the entry is set. The set entry is held insofaras it is not cleared or reset by the user. The process then proceeds toa step S53. On the other hand, if it is determined in the step S51 thatno entry has been made, the process directly proceeds to the step S53with the step S52 being skipped.

In the step S53, it is determined whether any mode other than the entrymode has been inputted or not. If it is determined in the step S53 thatany mode other than the entry mode has been inputted, the inputted modeis set in a step S54, and the process then proceeds to a step S55.Examples of modes other than the entry mode are the sheet selectionmode, sorter mode, double-sided printing mode, and so forth as shown inFIG. 6. Depressing the application mode key 53 on the screen in FIG. 6displays a mode setting screen in FIG. 12 to enable setting of modessuch as cover sheet/interleaved sheet mode, book-binding mode, originalmixing mode, shift mode, frame erasing mode, which are ordinarily usedfor digital copying machines. These modes are known, and descriptionthereof is omitted. On the other hand, if it is determined in the stepS53 that no mode other than the entry mode has been inputted, theprocess directly proceeds to the step S55 with the step S54 beingskipped.

In the step S55, it is determined whether the entry is greater than 1 ornot. If it is determined in the step S55 that the entry is greater than1, the process proceeds to a step S56 wherein any mode related tosorting has been set or not. If it is determined in the step S56 thatany mode related to sorting has been set, the trial copy key 50 isdisplayed as is the case with the screen in FIG. 6. If any modeunrelated to sorting has been set or the entry is equal to 1, the trialcopy key 50 is not displayed since it is meaningless to carry out trialcopying. Then, it is determined in a step S58 whether the trial copy key50 has been turned on or not.

If it is determined in the step S58 that the trial copy key 50 has beenturned on, the number of trial print pages is set in the step S60.Specifically, upon turning-on of the trial copy key 50, the screenchanges over from the screen in FIG. 6 to a screen in FIG. 9 on which itis determined whether the number of trial print pages is to beautomatically set or manually set, or all pages are to be subjected totrial printing. If it is determined that the number of trial print pagesis to be manually set, the number of trial print pages is set using thenumerical keypad to display the set number in a set number box 51. Upondepression of an OK key 52, the screen in FIG. 9 is closed so that thescreen changes over to the screen in FIG. 6. At the same time, in thestep S61, the trial copy mode is turned on. On this occasion, the trialcopy key 50 is highlighted in black as shown in FIG. 7. The process thenproceeds to a step S62.

If it is determined in the step S58 that the trial copy key 50 has beenturned on, if it is determined in the step S55 that the entry is 1, orif it is determined in the step S56 that any mode related to sorting hasnot been set, the process proceeds to a step S59 wherein the trial copymode is turned off. The process then proceeds to the step S62.

In the step S62, it is determined whether the start key 607 has beendepressed or not. If it is determined in the step S62 that the start key607 has not been depressed, the process returns to the step S51 torepeat the processing during idling. On the other hand, if it isdetermined in the step S62 that the start key 607 has been depressed,the process proceeds to a step S63 wherein a copying sequence isstarted. On this occasion, data such as the entry, the set copy mode,and other mode settings are transferred from the operating sectioncontrol task to a copying sequence task.

In the next step S64, it is determined whether the copying sequence hasbeen brought into a running state or not, and if the determinationresult is positive, the idling control is brought to an end.

A description will now be given of the copying sequence with referenceto FIGS. 8A, 8B, 10, 11, and 13A-24. FIGS. 8A-8B are flow chart showingthe copying sequence in the step S63, FIG. 10 shows an example of ascreen displayed on the LCD 600 of the operating section 150 in FIG. 3during trial copying, FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the procedure forcarrying out a trial copying process in a step S84, FIGS. 13A-13B areflow chart showing the procedure for carrying out an automatic pagecalculating process in a step S115 in FIG. 11, FIG. 14 schematicallyshows an example where an interleaved sheet is inserted between outputsheets in the interleaved sheet mode, FIG. 15A shows an example of anoriginal read in the double-sided printing mode, FIG. 15B shows anexample of trial copying in a horizontal spread double-sided printingmode, FIG. 15C shows an example of trial copying in a vertical spreaddouble-sided printing mode, FIG. 16 shows an example of a screen forpresetting the number of set pages for automatic page calculation duringtrial copying, FIG. 17 schematically shows the reason for setting thenumber of trial print pages in the staple mode during automatic pagecalculation, FIG. 18 schematically shows the reason for setting thenumber of trial print pages in a reduced layout mode during theautomatic page calculation, FIG. 19A shows an example of output in thecover sheet mode, FIG. 19B shows an example of a result obtained bytrial copying in the double-sided printing mode with the cover sheetmode being set, FIG. 19C shows an example of a result obtained by trialcopying in the staple mode with the cover sheet mode being set, FIG. 19Dshows an example of a result obtained by trial copying with the coversheet mode being set, FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the procedure forproviding control in the intermediate state of trial copying in the stepS46 in FIG. 4, FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing the procedure forproviding control in the intermediate state of trial copying in the stepS46 in FIG. 4, FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing the procedure forproviding control in the intermediate state of trial copying in the stepS46 in FIG. 4, FIG. 23 shows an example of a resetting screen displayedwhen it is determined in a step S202 in FIG. 20 that a request to changesettings has been issued, and FIG. 24 shows an example of a screendisplayed when it is determined in a step S203 that settings are to bechanged.

Upon the start of the copy sequence, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, it isdetermined first in a step S81 whether the copy mode has been set ornot. If it is determined in the step S81 that the copy mode has beenset, the process proceeds to a step S82 wherein the entry is set to 1.The entry set on this occasion is a provisional entry that is differentfrom the entry set by the user and is used for internal processing. Inthe trial copy mode, the entry is set so as to make the shift to theintermediate state of trial copying once after partial printing.

In the next step S83, the operating section control task is notifiedthat trial copying has been started. In response to this notification,the operating section control task starts processing in the step S44(FIG. 4) to provide control to make the shift to a screen in FIG. 10. Amessage indicative of the fact that trial printing is under way or thelike is displayed on the screen in FIG. 10. In the next step S84, thetrial copying process is started. In the step S84, an original is readto perform printing of one copy while image data thereof is accumulatedin the image memory 120.

The trial copying process is carried out according to the number oftrial print pages set in the step S60. Specifically, as shown in FIG.11, it is determined in a step S11 whether all the pages are to besubjected to trial printing or not. If it is determined in the step S11that all the pages are to be subjected to trial printing, the processproceeds to a step S112 wherein a setting is made such that all of theread pages are to be printed. The process then proceeds to a step S116.On the other hand, if it is determined in the step S11 that all thepages are not to be subjected to trial printing, the process proceeds toa step S113 wherein it is determined whether the number of trial printpages has been manually set or not. If it is determined in the step S113that the number of trial print pages has been manually set, the processproceeds to a step S114 wherein a setting is made such that trialprinting is to be carried out on the manually set number of pages. Then,the process proceeds to the step S116.

If it is determined in the step S13 that the number of trial print pageshas not been manually set, the process proceeds to a step S15 whereinthe automatic page calculating process is carried out.

Specifically, in the automatic page calculating process, as shown inFIGS. 13A-13B, it is determined first in a step S131 whether theoriginal mixing mode has been set or not. If it is determined in thestep S131 that the original mixing mode has been set, it is necessary toprint all the pages to check the finish of printing, and thus theprocess proceeds to a step S133 wherein a setting is made such that allthe pages are to be printed. The process is then terminated. On theother hand, if it is determined in the step S131 that the originalmixing mode has been not set, the process proceeds to a step S132wherein it is determined whether the interleaved sheet mode has been setor not. The interleaved sheet mode is a mode where an interleaved sheetis inserted between arbitrary pages selected from output pages A to G,for example. If it is determined in the step S132 that the interleavedsheet mode has been set, it is necessary to print all the pages to checkthe finish of printing as in the original mixing mode, and the processproceeds to the step S133 wherein a setting is made such that all thepages are to be printed.

If it is determined in the step S132 that the interleaved sheet mode hasnot been set, the process proceeds to a step S134 wherein it isdetermined whether the double-sided printing mode has been set or not.If it is determined in the step S134 that the double-sided printing modehas been set, the number of sheets to be subjected to double-sidedprinting is set in a step S135, and the process then proceeds to a stepS136. It is assumed here that an original consisting of pages A to L asshown in FIG. 15A is subjected to double-sided printing. Thedouble-sided printing mode includes a horizontal spread double-sidedprinting mode where a desired double-sided printing result is obtainedwhen the left ends of sheets are stapled as shown in FIG. 15B, and avertical spread double-sided printing mode where a desired double-sidedprinting result is obtained when the upper ends of sheets are stapled asshown in FIG. 15C. The finish of total printing can be satisfactorilyestimated by printing two sheets in either mode, and hence, it isdetermined that two sheets are to be subjected to trial printing in thedouble-sided printing mode.

Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the number of sheets set forthe double-sided printing mode is preset in a preset mode such that itmay be changed. The preset mode is set on a user mode setting screenwhich is displayed by depressing the user mode key 605 provided on theoperating section in FIG. 3. For example, a screen for presetting thenumber of pages in the automatic page calculation during trial copyingis displayed as shown in FIG. 16. On this screen, it is possible tovariably set the number of print pages in the double-sided printingmode, staple mode, or reduced layout mode. Each key on the screen inFIG. 16 is highlighted when depressed, so that a value inputted throughthe numerical keypad is set as the number of print pages in thecorresponding mode. On the screen in FIG. 16, a default value is set fora section “others” in the case where no special mode is set.

If it is determined in the step S134 that the double-sided printing modehas not been set, the process directly proceeds to the step S136 withthe step S135 being skipped.

In the step S136, it is determined whether the staple mode has been setor not. If it is determined in the step S136 that the staple mode hasbeen set, the number of sheets to be subjected to processing in thestaple mode is set in a step S137. In the staple mode, printing andstapling two sheets as shown in FIG. 17 suffices to check the finish ofstapling such as staple positions, and hence the number of trial printpages is set to 2.

It is then determined in a step S138 whether the newly set number ofpages (the number of print pages set in the step S137) is greater thanthe previously set number of pages (the number of print pages set in thestep S135) or not. Assuming here that both the double-sided printingmode and the staple mode are set, the number of trial print pages setfor the double-sided printing mode in the step S135 and the number oftrial print pages set for the staple mode in the step S137 are comparedwith each other. If it is determined in the S138 that the newly setnumber of pages (print pages) is greater than the previously set numberof pages (print pages), the process proceeds to a step S139 wherein thenumber of trial print pages is updated to the value set in the stepS137. The process then proceeds to a step S140. If it is determined inthe S138 that the newly set number of pages (print pages) is not greaterthan the previously set number of pages (print pages), the processdirectly proceeds to the step s140 with the step S139 being skipped.Specifically, the number of trial print pages is not updated to thevalue set in the step S137, but is held at the value set in the stepS135.

In the step S140, it is determined whether the reduced layout mode hasbeen set or not. If it is determined in the step S140 that the reducedlayout mode has not been set, the number of pages to be subjected toreduced layout is set in a step S141. The reduced layout mode is a modewhere a plurality of originals are laid out and outputted on one sheetsurface. In this case, the number of print pages is set to 1 since thelayout can be recognized by referring to one output sheet. In the nextstep S142, it is determined whether the newly set number of pages (thenumber of print pages set in the step 141) is greater than thepreviously set number of pages (the number of print pages set in thestep S135 or S137). Assuming here that any two modes among thedouble-sided printing mode, staple mode, and reduced layout mode areset, the number of pages set in the step S135 or S137 and the number ofpages set for the reduced layout mode in the step S141 are compared witheach other. If it is determined in the S142 that the newly set number ofpages (print pages) is greater than the previously set number of pages(print pages), the process proceeds to a step S143 wherein the number oftrial print pages is updated to the value set in the step S141. Theprocess then proceeds to a step S144. If it is determined in the S142that the newly set number of pages (print pages) is not greater than thepreviously set number of pages (print pages), the process directlyproceeds to the step S144 with the step S143 being skipped.Specifically, the number of trial print pages is not updated to thevalue set in the step S141, but is held at the value set in the stepS135 or S137.

In the step S144, it is determined that the cover sheet mode has beenset or not. If it is determined in the step S144 that the cover sheetmode has not been set, the process is terminated. On the other hand, ifit is determined in the step S144 that the cover sheet mode has beenset, coversheet pages are added in a step S145. The coversheet mode is amode where a cover sheet A and a back cover sheet L are added to theleading end and tailing end, respectively, of sheets B to G on whichimages are printed as shown in FIG. 19A. In the cover sheet mode, it isimpossible to confirm the finish of printing if no coversheet or backcover sheet is added, and hence, the number of trial print pages isdetermined with the number of additional pages of a cover sheet and aback cover sheet being taken into account. For example, if a cover sheetand a back cover sheet are added in the double-sided printing mode, thenumber of cover sheets and back cover sheets is added to two as thedesignated number of pages in the double-sided printing mode, and thenumber of print pages is determined such that the trial copying resultas shown in FIG. 19B can be obtained. In the case of the staple mode,the number of print pages is determined such that the trial copyingresult as shown in FIG. 19C can be obtained, and if no particular modehas been designated, the number of print pages is determined such thatthe trial copying result as shown in FIG. 19D can be obtained.

After the number of trial print pages is determined by carrying out theautomatic page calculating process described above, one copy consistingof the set number of print pages is printed in the step S116 (FIG. 11).The process is then terminated.

Upon completion of the trial copying process (the step S84 in FIGS.8A-8B) carried out in the above described sequence, the process proceedsto a step S85 where the operating section control task is notified ofthe process proceeding to the intermediate state of trial copying.Thereafter, in a step S86, the process proceeds to the intermediatestate of trial copying. Information indicative of this fact istransmitted to the operating section control task, and as a result,control is executed in the intermediate state of trial copying in thestep S46 (FIG. 4) of the operating section control task.

During the execution of control in the intermediate state of trialcopying, a screen in FIG. 22 is displayed which includes a settingchanging key 691, a suspension key 692, and a printing start key 693.

To execute control in the intermediate state of trial copying, it isdetermined in a step S201 in FIG. 20 whether the suspension key 692 hasbeen depressed or not. If it is determined in the step S201 that thesuspension key 692 has been depressed, a suspending request is issued tothe copying sequence task in a step S217 in FIG. 21, and in the nextstep S218, the process waits for the copying sequence to shift to anidling state. Upon the copying sequence shifting to the idling state,the process is terminated.

If it is determined in the step S201 that the suspension key 692 has notbeen depressed, it is then determined in a step S202 whether the settingchanging key 691 has been depressed or not, i.e. whether a settingchanging request has been issued or not. If it is determined in the stepS202 that the setting changing request has been issued, the operatingsection 150 switches to a resetting screen in FIG. 23. A sheet selectionkey 701, a sort setting key 702, a stapling margin setting key 703, adensity setting key 704, and a double-sided copy setting key 705 as wellas an entry box are displayed on the resetting screen in FIG. 23 so thatsettings other than the entry can be changed.

In the next step S212, it is determined whether the entry has beenchanged by depressing a key of the numeric keypad 601 provided in theoperating section 150. If it is determined in the step S212 that theentry has been changed, the set entry is reset to the changed entry. Theprocess then proceeds to a step S214. On the other hand, if it isdetermined in the step S212 that the entry has not been changed, theprocess directly proceeds to the step S214 with the step S213 beingskipped.

In the step S214, it is determined whether any of modes, which areallowed to be changed on the resetting screen, has been changed or not.If it is determined in the step S214 that any mode has been changed, themode is updated in a step S215, and the process proceeds to a step S216.On the other hand, if it is determined in the step S214 that any modehas not been changed, the directly process proceeds to the step S216with the step S215 being skipped. In the step S216, it is determinedwhether a close key 706 has been depressed on the resetting screen inFIG. 23 or not. If it is determined in the step S216 that the close key706 has been depressed, it is determined that the user has finishedchanging settings, and the process then proceeds to a step S203. On theother hand, if it is determined in the step S216 that the close key 706has not been depressed, the process returns to the step S212.

In the step S203, it is determined whether settings have been changed inthe steps S212 through S215. If it is determined in the step S203 thatsettings have been changed, a trial copy key 801 is displayed on thescreen in FIG. 22 as shown in FIG. 24. Depressing the trial copy key 801enables the user to carry out trial copying again according to the modewhose settings have been changed. Accordingly, it is determined in astep S204 whether the trial copy key 801 has not been depressed, it isthen determined in a step S205 whether the printing start key 693 hasbeen depressed or not. Depressing the printing start key 693 enables theuser to make copies in a number, which has been changed, according tothe previously set mode or the reset mode, and then the copy job isterminated. If it is determined in the step S205 that the printing startkey 693 has not been depressed, the process returns to the step S201. Onthe other hand, if it is determined in the step S205 that the printingstart key 693 has been depressed, it is then determined in a step S206whether settings have been changed in the intermediate state or not.

If it is determined in the step S206 that settings has not been changed,it is then determined in a step S207 whether all pages have beenoutputted by trial copying or not. If it is determined in the step S207that all the pages have been outputted by trial copying, the processproceeds to a step S208 wherein all the pages outputted by trial copyingare regarded as a part of an effective copy, and the difference obtainedby subtracting 1 from the set entry is set as a new entry. The processthen proceeds to a step S209. On the other hand, if it is determined inthe step S206 that settings have been changed, or if it is determined inthe step S207 that all the pages have not been outputted by trialcopying, the process proceeds to the step S209 without changing the setentry (with the step S208 being skipped).

In the step S209, the trial copy mode is canceled, and in the next stepS210, a restart request is given to the copying sequence task. It isthen determined in a step S211 whether the copying sequence has startedto run or not, and when the determination result is positive, theprocess is terminated.

If it is determined in the step S204 that the trial copy key 801 has notbeen depressed, the process proceeds to the step S210 wherein therestart request is given to the copying sequence task. On this occasion,the mode changed from the set mode and data relating to the other modesset first are transferred from the operating section control task to thecopying sequence task.

Referring again to FIGS. 8A-8B, a description will now be given of theoperation of the copying sequence task after the copying sequence isbrought into the intermediate state of trial copying. After the copyingsequence shifts to the intermediate state, it is determined in a stepS87 whether the restart request has been given from the operatingsection control task or not. If it is determined in the step S87 thatthe restart request has not been given, it is then determined in a stepS89 whether a stop request has been given or not. If it is determined inthe step S89 that the stop request has not been given, the processreturns to the step S87. On the other hand, if it is determined in thestep S89 that the stop request has been given, the copying sequencelying in the intermediate state is stopped in a step S90, and theprocess proceeds to a step S93 wherein the operating section controltask is informed that the copying has been brought to an end and thesystem has been returned to the idling state. The process is thenterminated.

If it is determined in the step S87 that the restart request has beengiven, it is determined in a step S88 whether the trial copy mode hasbeen set or not. If it is determined in the step S88 that the trial copymode has been set, the process returns to the step S82. On the otherhand, if it is determined in the step S88 that the trial copy mode hasnot been set, the process proceeds to a step S91 wherein the operatingsection control task is informed that copy-printing has been started,and the process then proceeds to a step S92 wherein copy-printing isstarted according to the mode and entry data set at the restart. In thenext step S93, the operating section control task is informed that thecopying has been brought to an end and the system has been returned tothe idling state.

Incidentally, when trial copy printing is carried out again in theintermediate state, or when copy-printing is carried out with the trialcopy mode being canceled, image data accumulated in the imageaccumulating section 160 is read out first, without an original beingread, and processing is performed on the readout image data according tothe set mode so that the image data can be printed.

The trial copying is carried out as described below under the abovedescribed control.

First, if the trial copy mode has been set, the copying sequence shiftsto the intermediate state which permits resetting after partialprinting. On this occasion, a part of the copy or all pages of the copyare printed according to the set mode as described above. As a result,the user can obtain the trial copying result within a short period oftime and without wasting supplies as compared with the case where allthe pages are always printed out.

In the case where trial copying is carried out again in the intermediatestate, as is distinct from the above case, the entry is processed asdescribed below in printing started upon depression of the printingstart key 693, i.e., copy-printing with the trial copy mode beingcanceled.

First, if the mode has been changed in the intermediate state, printingis performed to print out pages in a number corresponding to the entryset in advance. This is based on the assumption that the printing resultdesired by the user is obtained after the change in mode, and does nottake the trial copying result obtained before then into account.

If the mode has not been changed in the intermediate state, it can beassumed that the user accepts the trial copying result obtained before,and intends to continue printing. In this case, the trial copying resultobtained before is regarded as being valid, and the entry is decreasedby a value corresponding to the trial copying result and the remainingcopy print job is executed, so that copies in a number required by theuser can be printed out (this corresponds to the “all-page” mode in theabove described example, and the example (2) among the above describedexamples (1) through (6) corresponds to this).

However, in the case of the mode in which only a part of all the pagesis printed out in trial copying (this corresponds to a non all-pagemode, such as the “manual” mode and the “automatic” mode, other than the“all-page” mode, in the above described examples), this part may notregarded as an effective print part, and hence the above described entrysubtraction is not performed (for example, this corresponds to theexamples (4) and (6) among the above described examples (1) through(6)).

Further, during trial printing in the trial copy mode, one copy isalways printed out, but the entry set first remains unchanged. This isparticularly effective because copies in a number desired by the user,which corresponds to the entry, can be printed out without causing theuser to change the entry when changing the mode in the case where theuser carries out trial copying.

A description will now be given of a second embodiment of the presentinvention with reference to FIGS. 25 to 32. FIGS. 25 and 26 are flowcharts showing the procedure for providing idling control in an imageinput/output system according to the present embodiment, FIGS. 27A-27Bare flow chart showing the procedure for carrying out sequential readingin FIG. 26, FIG. 28 is a view showing an example of a screen displayedon the operating section 150 upon shift to an intermediate state ofsequential reading in a step S265 in FIGS. 27A-27B, FIG. 29 is a viewshowing an example of an original type setting popup displayed upondepression of an original type key in FIG. 28, FIG. 30 is a flow chartshowing the procedure for carrying out automatic page calculation, FIG.31A is a view showing an example of read originals whose image qualitieshave been changed, the view being useful in explaining the details ofprocessing in a step S282 in FIG. 30, FIG. 31B is a view showing anexample of trial copying in the case where the image quality has beenchanged in FIG. 31A, and FIG. 32 is a view showing an example of ascreen displayed on the operating section 150 upon the start of asequential reading sequence in a step S254 in FIG. 25.

A description will now be given of the case where trial copying isapplied to a sequential reading mode according to the presentembodiment. The sequential reading mode is a mode in which a pluralityof originals are sequentially read and printing is started after all ofthe originals have been read. The sequential reading mode is set bydepressing a sequential reading mode key 901 displayed on theapplication mode setting screen in FIG. 12.

First, a description will be given of idling control according to thepresent embodiment with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26. During the idlingcontrol according to the present embodiment, processing in steps S241 toS252 is identical with the processing in the steps S51 to S62 performedduring the idling control according to the first embodiment, and thepresent embodiment differs from the first embodiment in processing froma step S253 onward. Therefore, a description will be given only ofdifferent processing with duplicate description of the same processingbeing omitted.

During the idling control according to the present embodiment, as shownin FIG. 25, if it is determined in the step S252 that the start key 607has been depressed, the process proceeds to the step S253 in FIG. 26wherein it is determined whether the sequential reading mode has beenset or not. If it is determined in the step S253 that the sequentialreading mode has been set, a sequential reading sequence is started in astep S254.

In the sequential reading sequence, as shown in FIGS. 27A-27B, theoperating section control task is informed first in a step S261 thatreading is under way. As a result, a message indicative of the fact thatreading is under way is displayed on the LCD 600 of the operatingsection 150 as shown in FIG. 32. In the next step S262, an image on oneoriginal is read. If the original is a thick sheet original, a scannerscans the original, and if the original is a feeder original, a feederis driven to read the image thereon and then the original is replacedwith another one. The process then proceeds to a step S263 wherein it isdetermined whether all of stacked originals have been read or not. Inthe case of a thick sheet original, it is always read only one time,and, the process proceeds to the step S264 when one original has beenread. In the case of feeder originals, reading continues until all of abundle of originals stacked on the feeder have been read, and theprocess proceeds to the step S264 when all of the originals have beenread.

In the step S264, the operating section control task is informed thatthe shift has been made to the intermediate state of sequential reading,and in the next step S265, the shift is made to the intermediate stateof sequential reading. On this occasion, a screen in FIG. 28 isdisplayed on the operating section 28.

In the next step S266, it is determined whether a stop key 1003 has beendepressed on the screen in FIG. 28 or not. If it is determined in thestep S266 that the stop key 1003 has been depressed, the processproceeds to a step S274 wherein stop information is set, so that uponcompletion of this subroutine, each task is brought to an end.

If it is determined in the step S266 that the stop key 1003 has not beendepressed, the process proceeds to a step S267 wherein it is determinedwhether a double-sided original key 1001 has been depressed or not.Specifically, it is determined whether the set way of reading anoriginal has been switched to double-sided reading or one-sided reading.If it is determined in the step S267 that the double-sided original key1001 has been depressed, a double-sided original reading mode is resetin a step S268, and the process then proceeds to a step S269. On theother hand, if it is determined in the step S267 that the double-sidedoriginal key 1001 has not been depressed, the process directly proceedsto the step S269 with the step S268 being skipped.

In the step S269, whether the image quality of the originals has beenchanged or not is determined according to whether an original type key1000 and/or a density key 1005 has been depressed on the screen in FIG.28. Here, a change in image quality of an original means a change intype and/or density of the original. If the original type key 1000 hasbeen depressed on the screen in FIG. 28, an original type setting popupas shown in FIG. 29 is displayed to set the type of the original such ascharacter, character/photograph, printed photograph, or printing paperphotograph. A desired image quality can be obtained by operating theoriginal type key 1000 and/or the density key 1005.

If it is determined in the step S269 that the image quality of theoriginals has been changed, the process then proceeds to a step S270wherein the image quality of the originals is reset. The process thenproceeds to a step S271 wherein marking information whose image qualitysettings have been changed is set for the present original and held. Theprocess then proceeds to a step S272. On the other hand, if the imagequality of the originals has not been changed, the process directlyproceeds to the step S272 with the steps S270 and S271 being skipped.

In the step S272, it is determined whether a reading end key 1002 hasbeen depressed or not. If it is determined in the step S272 that thereading end key 1002 has been depressed, the process is terminated. Onthe other hand, if it is determined in the step S272 that the readingend key 1002 has not been depressed, it is then determined in a stepS273 whether the start key 607 of the operating section 150 has beendepressed or not. If it is determined in the step S273 that the startkey 607 has not been depressed, the process returns to the step S266. Onthe other hand, if it is determined in the step S273 that the start key607 has been depressed, the process returns to the step S261 to startreading again.

The processing in the above steps S266 to S274 is executed mainly by theoperating section control task in the intermediate state of sequentialreading.

Upon completion of the above described sequential reading sequence inthe step S254, a copying sequence is started in a step S255. The copyingsequence is identical with the copying sequence started in the step S81in FIGS. 8A-8B, and therefore detailed description thereof is omitted.Here, a description will be given of distinctive characteristics of thepresent embodiment as compared with the automatic page calculatingmethod (refer to FIGS. 13A-13B) according to the first embodiment.

During the automatic page calculation, as shown in FIG. 30, it isdetermined first in a step S281 whether the sequential reading mode hasbeen set or not, and if it is determined the sequential reading mode hasnot been set, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it isdetermined in the step S281 that the sequential reading mode has beenset, the process proceeds to a step S281 wherein a setting is made suchthat pages for which image quality settings have been changed and whichhave been marked as described above are calculated, and printing isperformed on these pages. The process is then terminated.

A description will now be given of the details of processing in the stepS282. For example, it is assumed as shown in FIG. 31A that originals Ato L have been read, and different image quality settings have been madefor respective hatched ones of these originals A to L. It is assumedhere that the originals A, B, and C have been read according to certainimage quality settings, but the subsequent originals D and E have beenread according to different image quality settings. In this case, theuser may wish to confirm only the ones whose image quality settings havebeen changed, and hence, as shown in FIG. 31B, a setting is made suchthat the top original D among the originals whose image quality settingshave been changed next to the top original A is subjected to trialcopying. Similarly, the originals F and K are also subjected to trialcopying.

As described above, printing is performed only on a part of originalswhose image quality settings have been changed, and hence the user canquickly confirm settings by partial trial copying.

Although in the present embodiment, the range of trial copying isdetermined only in the case where image quality settings have beenchanged in the intermediate state of sequential reading, the presentinvention is not limited to this, but trial copying may be carried outin the case where the mode has been changed to other modes suchdouble-sided reading. Further, even if settings have not particularlybeen changed, a page immediately after the shift to the intermediatestate of sequential reading may always be subjected to trial copying.The way of controlling in these alternative cases can be easily derivedfrom the present embodiment, and therefore description thereof isomitted.

Although in the present embodiment, only the features related tosequential reading have been described for the convenience ofexplanation, it goes without saying that they may be combined with thefirst embodiment.

Although in the above described embodiments, the present invention isapplied to copying, this is not limitative. For example, in recentyears, a so-called box function has been developed for a digital copyingmachine. The box function is intended to enable image data transferredfrom a scanner or an external apparatus to be stored on a permanentbasis in an image memory such that they may be printed as needed. Thetrial printing may be applied to print image data stored using this boxfunction.

Further, the trial printing may be applied to the case where facsimiledata is received and temporarily stored in a memory and the image datais printed through user's operation.

As described above, the present invention may be applied to all kinds ofapparatuses capable of making predetermined mode changes each time animage stored in a memory is read out and printed.

It is to be understood that the object of the present invention may alsobe accomplished by supplying a system or an apparatus with a storagemedium (or a recording medium) in which a program code of software whichrealizes the functions of either of the above described embodiments isstored, and causing a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system orapparatus to read out and execute the program code stored in the storagemedium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storagemedium realizes the functions of either of the above describedembodiments, and hence the program code and a storage medium on whichthe program code is stored constitute the present invention. Further, itgoes without saying that the functions of either of the above describedembodiments may be accomplished not only by executing the program coderead out by a computer, but also by causing an OS (operating system) orthe like which operates on the computer to perform a part or all of theactual operations based on instructions of the program code.

Further, it is to be understood that the functions of either of theabove described embodiments may be accomplished by writing the programcode read out from the storage medium into an expansion board insertedinto a computer or a memory provided in an expansion unit connected tothe computer and then causing a CPU or the like provided in theexpansion board or the expansion unit to perform a part or all of theactual operations based on instructions of the program code.

1. A printing system, comprising: a first control unit configured tocause a printing unit to perform, in accordance with a printingcondition, a plurality of pages corresponding to one set of a job as atrial-printing, wherein the first control unit causes the printing unitto perform printing remaining pages if the printing condition for thejob is not changed after the trial-printing is performed; and a secondcontrol unit configured to cause the printing unit to perform printingfrom a first page even if the printing condition for the job is notchanged after a part of the plurality of pages included in one set ofthe job is printed as the trial-printing.
 2. A printing system accordingto claim 1, further comprising a third control unit configured to causethe printing unit to perform printing from the first page if theprinting condition for the job is changed after the trial-printing isperformed.
 3. A printing system according to claim 1, further comprisinga specifying unit configured to specify a number of page printed as thetrial-printing in the plurality of pages corresponding to the one set ofthe job.
 4. A printing system according to claim 1, further comprising afourth control unit configured to suspend a printing operation after thetrial-printing is completed, wherein the printing condition for the jobis changeable via a user interface when the printing operation issuspended.
 5. A printing system according to claim 1, wherein theprinting condition including a condition concerning a sheet used forprinting of the job, a condition concerning printing density, acondition concerning double-sided printing, a condition concerning asort setting or a condition concerning stapling margin.
 6. A controlmethod for controlling a printing system, comprising: causing a printingunit to perform, in accordance with a printing condition, a plurality ofpages corresponding to one set of a job as a trial-printing, wherein thefirst control unit causes the printing unit to perform printingremaining pages if the printing condition for the job is not changedafter the trial-printing is performed; and causing the printing unit toperform printing from a first page even if the printing condition forthe job is not changed after a part of the plurality of pages includedin one set of the job is printed as the trial-printing.
 7. A controlmethod according to claim 6, further comprising causing the printingunit to perform printing from the first page if the printing conditionfor the job is changed after the trial-printing is performed.
 8. Acontrol method according to claim 6, further comprising a specifyingunit configured to specify a number of page printed as thetrial-printing in the plurality of pages corresponding to the one set ofthe job.
 9. A control method according to claim 6, further comprisingsuspending a printing operation after the trial-printing is completed,wherein the printing condition for the job is changeable via a userinterface when the printing operation is suspended.
 10. A control methodaccording to claim 6, wherein the printing condition including acondition concerning a sheet used for printing of the job, a conditionconcerning printing density, a condition concerning double-sidedprinting, a condition concerning a sort setting or a conditionconcerning stapling margin.
 11. A storage medium computer-readablystoring a computer-executable program for controlling a printing system,the computer-executable program comprising: a code to cause a printingunit to perform, in accordance with a printing condition, a plurality ofpages corresponding to one set of a job as a trial-printing, wherein thefirst control unit causes the printing unit to perform printingremaining pages if the printing condition for the job is not changedafter the trial-printing is performed; and a code to cause the printingunit to perform printing from a first page even if the printingcondition for the job is not changed after a part of the plurality ofpages included in one set of the job is printed as the trial-printing.